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Gunners given Lacazette boost

Alexandre Lacazette has been cleared to play for Arsenal in the second leg of the Europa League last-16 tie against Rennes on Thursday after UEFA reduced his three-match suspension following an appeal.

The French forward had been punished after being shown a straight red card in the February 14 last-32 first leg loss away against BATE Borisov.

After having a second-half equaliser correctly ruled out for offside, Lacazette was sent off for swinging an elbow in frustration towards Aleksandar Filipovic with five minutes remaining.

Governing body UEFA confirmed on Tuesday afternoon that Arsenal's appeal "has partially been upheld", with a reduced two-match European sanction now deemed to have been served.

Nelson facing uncertain future

Reiss Nelson is in hot water (Image: Imago/PA Images)

Reiss Nelson was dropped ahead of Hoffenheim's 2-1 victory over Nurnberg on Sunday for disciplinary reasons.

The Arsenal loanee enjoyed an exceptional start to the season with the German side, but has found first-team opportunities under Julian Nagelsmann hard to come by in recent months.

And he was a notable absentee from the weekend encounter, with the manager soon confirming that his absence was not due to injury or recent performances.

Nagelsmann opted to axe the 19-year-old forward as an “educational measure”, and Sport1 added that there were “obviously disciplinary reasons” as well.